Spring 2023 - Issue 2

Letter From the Editor in Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Lacie DeGough

Managing Editor

Summer Mills

Faculty Advisor

Jeremiah Massengale

Staff

Maddie Furtick

Amanda Gault

Anthony Cage Grubb

Cassidy Howard

Alyssa King

Amber Simpkins

Hannah Mae Sizemore

Emily Sloan

Elizabeth Spires

Happy February, Patriots!

Over the past few weeks, I have been thinking a lot about how much I have changed since my first semester at the University of the Cumberlands. I chose to come to UC because I heard wonderful things about this school from people who came before me, but I could never have imagined how much I would grow from pursuing higher education at this school. My classes help me to hone my skills— from writing to critical thinking to technical abilities. I have also grown in my relationships with the friends that I have made on campus. And, of course, I cannot forget working with The Patriot; my time here at the campus newspaper is one of the most incredible opportunities that has come my way while attending UC.

I am honored to be the editor in chief of The Patriot. This position has given me many chances to learn and cultivate skills I will value for the rest of my life. The newspaper is a fusion of talent- taking so many people with different interests, skills, and ideas to pull off each issue. And that is the beauty of student journalism! Everyone on our staff is learning and growing; we create amazing things when we work together. I am so grateful for our freedom as the student newspaper to share our thoughts and ideas with the campus community.

As you progress through this month, I encourage you to reflect on your first week here at UC. How far have you come since then? How have you changed? Now try looking ahead to the future—remember why you are here. What are you working towards, and how is UC helping you achieve your dream for the future?

Pursue your goals with excellence, Patriots!

- Lacie DeGough

Front cover photo by Amanda Gault

Back cover graphic by Hannah Mae Sizemore

Photo by Summer Mills

Taking the Spotlight

UC’s Annual Singing Competition Is a Must-see Event

BY AMANDA GAULT Staff Writer

Spotlight is back for its eleventh season, taking the University of the Cumberlands campus by storm. The Campus Activities Board hosts weekly fun events that increase students’ on-campus experience. CAB hosts a singing competition every spring semester with $1,500 at stake. “Spotlight is the annual singing contest held during the spring semester,” states Lisa Bartram, the Campus Activities Director.“ It is a fantastic event showcasing our campus talents while promoting school spirit. It’s always fun watching students support each other.” Twenty-four contestants entered the competition with the hopes of winning over the judges. They performed duets that grabbed the audience’s attention, but only twelve contestants moved on to the next round. The first round was based only on the judge’s scores, but moving forward; students can help their favorite performers advance in the competition. Every time a student comes to support their favorite performer, they get to vote in person and online. Spotlight could not run without its host, contestants, and judges. Martize Smith, the winner of Spotlight Season Ten, is thrilled to host Spotlight this year. “Spotlight has always been a favorite of mine. From the music to the fans, the contestants, and sometimes even the drama, Spotlight forever holds a special place in my heart,” states Smith. “Using our gifts to not only compete but to please others is always something I looked forward to.” Smith is a senior from Decatur,

Georgia, majoring in criminal justice. He was a contestant for two seasons of Spotlight and can easily claim some of the most memorable performances as his own. He never fails to win over the crowd and continues to do so in his new role. After the first night of Spotlight this season, the audience was on the edge of their seats. The judges had a very tough decision because they had to send twelve contestants home. Two contestants go home each week, and the rest are one step closer to winning $1,500. Spotlight also welcomes a new guest judge to the panel each week. Jacob Ratliff, the Campus Pastor, was asked to join the panel for duets. The scores come from three different ways; judges, inhouse voting, and online voting. The audience not only plays a significant role in how the contestants advance, but they also have the opportunity to be involved in other capacities.

The Campus Activities Board provides extra entertainment during each show. They have t-shirt time, which is a crowd favorite. The audience goes crazy over the iconic Spotlight shirts with a design corresponding to the season’s theme. This year, the t-shirt features a pair of blue headphones on a black background. CAB is also active on social media and features the crowd in much of its content.

Photo by Amanda Gault

Practice Makes Perfect

Insight into the UC Archery Team with Team Member Cammie Shuman

BY AMBER SIMPKINS Staff Writer

The archery team here at the University of the Cumberlands displayed a lot of skill and talent during their recent tournaments. The archery team puts in a lot of hard work utilizing their skills and focus. Cammie Shuman, an archery team member, enjoys this sport and the work it takes to pull off each tournament. As a freshman, it is Shuman’s first year playing archery at UC, but she has had previous archery experience before coming to UC. Shuman provides insight into her experience as an archer.

Archery first started to interest her when she was in middle school. Shuman’s inspiration to pursue archery came from the influence of female archer characters. “I started archery in the sixth grade in the NASP program,” Shuman states, “due to my inspirations from Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games and Merida from Brave.” The eight years that Shuman has participated in archery have been an enjoyable and rewarding experience. According to Shuman, the most satisfying thing about archery is seeing improvement. She states, “[a]rchery is so enjoyable because you not only have such satisfaction when you see yourself improve, but you always improve your ability to rebound from a bad place involving your mindset.”

Archery is very enjoyable to Shuman, but it also comes with challenges. The sport can be very intense, and many people overlook that aspect. “Archery is much more intense than some may think, for both the team and the audience,” she says, “as it can also come down to the last arrow to determine who wins or loses.” The intensity of archery is more mental than it is physical. According to

Shuman, it requires a lot of focus to make the important shots. “Archery is tough not necessarily on a physical level, but rather the mental side because some shots are not the most desired and can really affect you if they affect your chances of winning.” Participating in archery provides athletes with the opportunity to learn important lessons. Archery helps Shuman improve herself in not only archery but also other areas of her life. “I have learned a lot from archery,” she says, “including how I view my losses, as well as giving me steps to improve myself, not just with archery.”

The UC archery team has accomplished many great things this year so far. One of the team’s most recent accomplishments was winning first place at Mid-South Conference in Madisonville, Kentucky. A few months ago, the UC archery team competed at a tournament in Folley, Alabama. Shuman enjoyed how energetic the competition was, stating, “Folley was a very fun experience and was one of the most energetic tournaments I have ever been to.” According to the UC archery schedule, their next shoot will occur on April 5 in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

Cammie Shuman provides insight into the archery world—the highs and the lows. The UC archery members demonstrated great skill and talent throughout the season, which helped them in their recent wins. Their principles and firm foundation will continue to help them on their journey forward.

Photos by Hunter Larese & Brandon Durham

Springin’ for a Change

Students and Staff Alike Want a New Date for Spring Break

BY SUMMER MILLS Managing Editor

Snow sprinkles across campus, coating the ground with a light dusting of soft flakes. Ice storms cancel class, and promises of six more weeks of winter come through. As students walk across campus, leaving boot tracks in their wake, a step in the grass is assurance that soon dandelions will bloom. The shocking cold that stings noses is only a placeholder for the crisp, fresh air coming shortly. The winter is long, but spring is coming soon and is in its prime from March to May. For college students, this suggests there should be a long-awaited break from school.

Summer and winter breaks are typically longer, with spring and fall break lasting about a week. This time allows students to rest during stressful times. This relaxation, in turn, helps with turning out work, listening in class, and being a more productive student. Getting into a daily routine can often trap students in a rut because there is no variation. However, the key to learning and consistency is taking time for oneself; this helps students have solace and do enjoyable things, which is difficult since many have packed days.

With the rise of COVID-19 in 2020, the University of the Cumberlands chose to switch semesters to a bi-term format. The pandemic affected the semesters, causing them to split into two eight-week terms rather than the entire sixteen weeks that a class would generally run. According to the University of the Cumberlands academic calendar on their website, fall break occurs in October at the end of the first bi-term and directly before the second one. This break between the terms gives students time before their courses switch to unwind and not worry about their classes or any upcoming homework.

In the spring semester, however, spring break does not fall in between the bi-terms. This distinction strikes many as odd. Izabella Buck, a studemt at

the University of the Cumberlands, says, “It’s kind of weird to have spring break in between the second bi-term instead of between the two terms.” On every academic calendar that the University of the Cumberlands has posted, spring break falls about two weeks into the second bi-term. The way this is scheduled means that students transfer directly from one set of classes to another. After that, the break occurs right at the point when students get into the groove of learning in their new classes (about two weeks in). When students return from their week off, they still have six weeks left in their courses. Students going on break in the middle of their term can disrupt the flow of the learning process. The timing of spring break in the current academic calendar does not allow for a proper break because students still have a variety of homework and projects to complete.

Spring break at the University of the Cumberlands should be between the bi-terms moving forward. Dr. Michael Dickman, Communication Arts department chair/professor, states, “I would like it better if we had a week off in between the sessions.” Bi-term classes end near the first day of March, which is also the start of spring. This period would be perfect for a vacation. Students given a chance to have a break during this time would be more likely to take the opportunity. For many, this time away would lead to rejuvenation because they can enjoy themselves without worrying about school, which will help them better adjust to class changes. A week of vacation after the end of the first bi-term would give students time to adapt, and it would be perfect timing for a transition into the new awaiting courses. This alteration would bode well with everyone.

Photo by Elizabeth Spires

Go Green or Go Home

How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint as a College Student

BY ANTHONY CAGE GRUBB Staff Writer

WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ALYSSA KING Staff Writer

The global initiative to create an environmentally sustainable society has left many wondering what they can do to conserve energy, reduce their carbon footprint, and take care of their local ecosystems. This task seems daunting, especially to college students, as coursework, jobs, sports, and countless other obligations keep them busy. The idea of becoming environmentally sustainable seems nearly impossible. However, there are several ways that students can do their part in protecting their local environment.

One of the best ways to become more sustainable is to reduce plastic use. Plastic remains one of the most dangerous materials to our planet. The material, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (ESA), “does not fully biodegrade in the environment” and contributes “over 36 million tons” of waste every year in the United States. Avoid buying plastic bottles of water at the grocery store. Instead, consider investing in a stainless steel, refillable bottle. Students can refill these bottles continuously at any of the several filling stations found across campus. The stations are in most men’s and women’s dorms, in the Boswell Campus Center, and many of the university’s academic buildings.

Reducing the use of plastic bags is another way to have a more sustainable lifestyle. Consider bringing reusable tote bags instead of using the store’s plastic bags when shopping. These tote bags are cheap and sturdy and replace the need for plastic bags found in most stores. After only one use, many typically discard plastic bags. However, tote bags can be used several times over many years, meaning that one reusable one will keep thousands of plastic bags out of landfills and away from the local environment.

Studying is a big part of a student’s life, so an efficient desk lamp is essential. The lamp students choose, however, plays a large role in the local ecosystem’s health. Many lamps use halogen lightbulbs, which have short lifespans, need a lot of maintenance, and have a higher cost. These lightbulbs

only last a few months before needing to be discarded and replaced. LED lamps, however, are far more cost-effective and have a lifespan of several years. These lights do not have a high wattage like halogen lamps, which allows LED lights to conserve energy rather than waste it. So, before students start studying, they should change their halogen lightbulbs to LED ones.

As spring approaches, many students may switch their heat off and turn on their air conditioning units. The constant use of the air conditioning or heating unit is one of the most significant ways students waste energy. While students are in class, it is crucial to turn off the unit to save energy. Students can also open their curtains and windows to help cool off or heat their rooms. Allowing the natural temperature to aid in cooling down or heating a dorm room will reduce the overuse of air conditioning and heating units and conserve energy. Turning lights off when students are not in the dorm will also help save energy.

A fun way to help keep the local environment clean is to shop at Goodwill and other thrift stores. Buying clothes from these stores reduces the amount of clothing sent to landfills and allows articles of clothing to have a longer lifespan. Instead of spending money at larger corporations, thrift shopping is a great way to find clothes for low prices. Thrift shopping will save students money and provide new homes for clothes that otherwise would have ended up in the trash. Everyone can play a part in the push to reduce humanity’s carbon footprint. College students are in a unique position, however, as they can both actively participate in sustainability efforts and take on the role of innovators of the future. These individuals can transform the world into an environmentally sustainable society by taking a few simple steps to save energy and reduce the amount of waste they produce. All they have to remember is to reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Photo by Lacie DeGough

Astronomical Recap

Celestial Events of January

BY EMILY SLOAN Staff Writer

Attention, all astronomy enthusiasts! This past January was an interesting month for astronomers, star gazers, and astronomy hobbyists. In case you missed them, here is a detailed brief summarizing the celestial events that kicked off 2023.

The new year began with the impressive Quadrantids Meteor shower, which peaked on the third and fourth of this month. This annual meteor shower is one of the most remarkable sights to behold because of the sheer volume and consistency of the meteors present within the shower. Some report witnessing around 60 to 200 meteors per hour during its peak.

Another event that gained public interest is Earth’s Perihelion, which occurred on Jan. 4. A perihelion occurs when the earth reaches its closest orbital point to the sun each year.

A few days after this event, the year’s first full moon appeared on Jan. 6. This moon, subsequently named the “Wolf Moon,” received its name from the legend of howling wolves associated with the moonlight in Celtic and Old English folklore.

The sky was especially active during the latter days of January. On Jan. 21, astronomers witnessed the closest New Moon since the Middle Ages—about

1337 years—the next one will occur in 345 years! On Jan. 22, two of the most stunning planets danced across the sky. Bright Venus and beautiful Saturn passed about 0.34 degrees in proximity, making it almost impossible to distinguish the two from each other.

January closed on a peaceful note. The elusive planet Mercury and the Green Comet both appeared on Jan. 30. Both objects were visible to the unaided eye in favorable stargazing conditions.

Some are probably wondering now; why study astronomy? There are many benefits to keeping up with celestial events. They increase individual awareness about how the universe operates, raising questions about life and existence. It is a branch of science that remains unpredictable and exciting to explore because there is still a lot to be discovered. They allow people to think beyond themselves and look to something bigger. This subject unites people with self-discovery, curiosity, and personal achievement, enabling them to have a deeper perspective on life and humanity.

If you want to learn more about astronomy, here are some of the best resources available for amateur stargazers: Stellarium, Arloon Solar System, AstroBackyard, Astronomy.com, and NASA’s official website.

Photos by Emily Sloan